Originally Posted by
GordonR_Cape
Short answer: The fibers in carbon composite are not continuous, but embedded in a non-conducting polymer matrix.
Short answer maybe - but highly misleading.
Carbon fibre reinforced composites utilised in primary airframe structures are generally of the prepreg tape or woven cloth type. Cylindrical-structures may also be filament wound.
Characteristic of all these forms is that the reinforcing fibres are continuous. Fibres are usually bundled in tows and woven to form the dry cloth reinforcement.
Polymer matrices reinforced with discontinuous fibres are generally employed for secondary/tertiary structures where structural integrity is not the primary design requirement.